A Family’s Cozy New Home Gets a Nature-Inspired, Minimalist Christmas Makeover
A couple’s vision of a warm, inviting family home culminates in the perfect holiday setting.
By Lauren Tyda | Photography by Kevin Kaminski
When a Paradise Valley homeowner first approached Phoenix Home & Garden Masters of the Southwest award-winning interior designer Jaimee Rose, she had a clear request: “I want a Jaimee Rose home. I’ve been writing this in my dream journal for years. It’s time to make it come true.” For Rose, the honor was remarkable. “I was floored by this grand gesture of faith,” she recalls. “I went straight to work, determined to make every day in this home worthy of her imagination.”
Thus began a journey to create a deeply personal desert sanctuary. Teaming up with architect Greg Kent and builder Todd Sucher, Rose helped transform a raw plot of land with sweeping views into a home designed to tell a story of the family’s lives, values and personal treasures.
A Vision of Black, White and Gold
The color palette was no accident. As owners of a gold and silver investment business, the homeowners were drawn to a scheme that spoke to their profession as well as their sense of style. “All of their concept images featured these hues,” Rose says. “It’s important that homes feel like the people who live there and tell the stories of the lives unfolding inside. Playing with gold and metals as part of their story was an added joy.”
This motif of metals and luxurious tones appears throughout the home, from the gleaming accents in the open kitchen to the bold statement pieces in the entryway. The combination of rich, elegant colors creates a refined yet welcoming atmosphere that sets the tone for the entire residence.
Bringing the Concept to Life
The homeowners’ vision was not just about aesthetics—it was about making a series of dramatic moments. “They had a recurring request: ‘It must be ‘badass,’” Rose recalls with a laugh. And that spirit shines through, particularly in some of the more unique spaces, such as the music-listening room that doubles as a boutique bourbon-tasting retreat. Inspired by their late friend’s love for Tom’s Town Distilling Co. in Kansas City, this space features exposed brick walls, dark paneling and a moody vibe that feels both nostalgic and intimate.
Another special request came from the husband, who had a recurring dream since childhood about having a home with a long hallway. “It meant so much to him,” Rose recalls. Working within Paradise Valley’s strict roof height restrictions, the design team brought this vision to life with a hallway accented by beams, pendant lights and oversized art, creating a sense of grandeur and continuity through the home’s layout. “The clients specified vaulted ceilings and openness for the main living areas,” Kent explains. “We extended some of those volumes to the outside to create patio spaces that make it feel like an extension of the interior.”
Throughout the house, Rose’s attention to personal details shines. “I have always been a storyteller,” she says. “And I believe that your home should give a hint about who you are and what you love.”
This philosophy is evident in every room, from the breakfast nook with framed baby shoes to letters from the homeowners’ children, displayed on the wall as masterworks. “We all have things like this in a drawer somewhere that are so dear to us,” Rose explains. “These are truly bespoke art pieces spun from memories.”
Celebrating Christmas in Style
When the holiday season arrives, Rose’s design philosophy takes on a festive twist. She staged the home for Christmas with a palette that harmonizes with the existing decor, adding greenery and icy accents that reflect the natural surroundings and restrained color scheme.
“I prefer Christmas that settles in nicely with the decor that is already there,” Rose explains. “I’m not a big fan of red and green. Greenery, yes—loads of it. But it’s hard to live with that much color every day during the busiest season of the year.”
In the children’s wing, Rose incorporated a second tree filled with the family’s heirloom ornaments, creating a more nostalgic and personal holiday space. “The kids’ wing is always the best place for a secondary tree that hosts the family memories,” she says. “We gave them a base of white lights and a few big baubles to pull their
collection together.”
A Home That Tells a Story
By the time the project was complete, the homeowners had more than a beautifully designed house—they had a home. At a Christmas party hosted shortly after the holiday decor went up, Rose watched them beam with pride as they guided friends through the dwelling, sharing the details of each carefully crafted space.
“I felt such joy watching the owners smile and toast with their guests, seeing the true happiness and pride on their faces as they walked friends from room to room,” Rose says. “It was magical.”
- Architect: Greg Kent, KENTarchitects.
- Builder: Todd Sucher, Fairmount Development.
- Interior Designer: Jaimee Rose, Jaimee Rose Interiors.
Decorating Tip
For anyone embarking on their own holiday decor journey, Rose offers this advice: Choose a few impactful pieces, and don’t shy away from personal touches. “Masses of just a few things—garlands, bowls of Christmas balls—are better than piles of mismatched decor,” she says. “Bigger items make a larger impact and are so much easier to put out and take down.”
SOURCES
- Architect: Greg Kent, KENTarchitects, Phoenix, kentarchitects.com.
- Builder: Todd Sucher, Fairmount Development, Scottsdale, fairmountdevelopment.com.
- Interior designer: Jaimee Rose, Jaimee Rose Interiors, Phoenix, jaimeerose.com.
GREAT ROOM
- Fireplace: explorematerial.com.
- Cabinetry: Rysso Peters, Scottsdale, (602) 272-2956.
DINING ROOM
- Chandelier (“Tilda”) arteriorshome.com.
TASTING ROOM
- Fireplace: explorematerial.com.
